We will continue to search out concrete tools and accessories to help our audience meet the upcoming OSHA Silica Dust standards, June 23, 2017. Cutting concrete outdoors with a gas cut-off saw and water hookup probably won’t change much however for indoor concrete cutting or dry cutting we will definitely see some new challenges. These new Core Cut C14($599) and C16($999) Concrete Saws are electric but offer serious power much closer to gas than we have seen in the past and can be used wet or dry. Many 14”+ electric saws currently don’t have water hookups or dust collectors and aftermarket attachments can be questionable. The new OSHA spec for dust collection require near HEPA filtration, automatic filter cleaning and 25 CFM per 1” of blade diameter in cutting. For a 14”saw that’s 350 CFM, you’re not going to find that at your local hardware store.

Milwaukee expands on its commitment to utilities, linemen and innovates on its growing cordless lighting systems with their introduction of the new M18 Utility Bucket Light. The Bucket Light features a patented spring-loaded bucket clamp that fits all buckets and bucket liners up to 4” and allows for easy attachment, deployment, and movement and even works on the corner of the bucket.

One of the biggest causes for injuries or even death on a construction jobsite are fall related accidents. A few simple steps can be taken with your fall protection harness to greatly reduce some of these potential risk. We were surprised to learn how big of a problem just proper fit for a Fall Protection Harness can be and how dangerous it is to improperly wear a harness. Our next installment of On the Job Safety Tips with Safex(Safety Consultants) video is on Proper Fit and Daily Inspection for your fall protection harnesses.

It was not been a secret that with Milwaukee’s acquisition on Empire Levels as well as another measuring tape manufacturer they had their eyes focused heavily on building a full range of measuring hand tools. With Empire already covering economic to mid-high range levels, squares, caution tapes, utility detectable tapes, measuring tapes, bobs, calipers, etc the only direction to go was up. Stabila has held the market for high end, extremely accurate levels for many years in US and Milwaukee has not been shy where the Milwaukee RedStick Torpedo & Box Levels will compete in the market (they even put it on their packaging).

We have been following the progress of Franklinton Rising program since the begin and have been very impressed with the mission, students and progress. The program takes homes that are falling apart in neglected areas and begins teaching teens the skills needed to renovate these properties. With 2 classes completed there are plans for more in 2017 with more home renovations already underway.

As Bluetooth speakers from BOSE, BEATS and many other have become much more powerful while actually shrinking in size we have wondered why so many of the jobsite radios have remained the size of 80’s Boomboxes. The new Milwaukee radio speaker, Pre-order Now 2891-20($149). looks to change the game with style, size and clarity that will make it competitive not only among jobsite radios but for anyone looking for high quality Bluetooth speakers.

Powered by either the Milwaukee M12 or M18 systems batteries, IP54 can handle jobsite or beach, 40W of power to 6 speakers for 119 decibels (Bose at 116 & Beats at 99), Total Harmonic Distortion of .28% (Bose at .31% & Beats at .50%), AC power option, 2.1 Amp USB output and compact design of only 14” which is still tough enough to get knocked around. Retail price will be around $150. Unfortunately this new radio is not going to be under any Christmas Trees this holiday as it doesn’t launch until January. For more info check out the official Milwaukee Press Release info below.

Recently we had an opportunity to try out a wide variety of Metabo tools at their media event. Of course the big focus was on their expansive line up of cordless tools designed specifically for metal trades. The 18V Brushless Tapping Drill GB18LXTBLIQ($299, bare) is a perfect example of that in action. Not only are we looking at a great drill/driver with 1,300 in. lbs., currently the most powerful on the market, this drill makes tapping a crazy simple idiot-proof process. Snap the chuck off and it also becomes a ¼” driver for fastening and other applications.

Miter Saws are messy, nothing is going to catch everything but we have been fairly disappointed in pretty much all the vacuum attachments on miter saws. For a shop purposes simply building a Miter saw Dust Collector seems like the obvious, most economical solution. Certainly it’s not a 1 size fits all solution as there are many sizes and styles of miter saws out there. BuildSomething has this Miter Saw Dust Collector Free Plans which is a terrific starting point you can tailor to your needs. Continue reading →

Certainly anything tax related consult a professional but we got an interesting piece of promotional material from our friends at Jet & Powermatic about buying equipment. We thought we’d pass on as many tool users are also small business owners. We were not aware you can deduct up to $500,000 (for 2016) for tools, equipment and even “business-use” vehicles under section 179. Average business tax rates are 35% so if your business is having a good year it might be time to consider purchases. The end of the year is also when all the Holiday Deals hit so a nice time to consider purchases.

There is an entire .ORG website dedicated to Understanding Section 179 which if you are interested you can learn more there. Also they have a calculator to figure out what deductions can be taken for savings. Talk to your tax professional to see how this applies to you.

Every holiday season it seems like the big boxes put serious pressure on all the name brand Power Tool guys to make the cheapest possible cordless tool kits and accessory bundles to hit their price points. They’ll pack them with older SKUs or lower amp batteries or throw in stuff that doesn’t always make sense all in an effort to show a “better deal” often targeting consumers that might not know the difference. We thought we’d take a different approach to find deals that make sense for PROFESSIONALS who know their stuff, to find the best deals on the latest and greatest stuff at all price levels. Use Coupon Code = GIFTGUIDE at Ohio Power Tool to receive Free Shipping on any of these specific items!! Continue reading →

Coptool.com is a news and review based website which focuses on professional Power Tool brands. Our goal is to find new tools, accessories, and best possible solutions that will help improve the effectiveness of professionals in their daily jobs.

Authors of Coptool.com, include inside sales employees of Ohio Power Tool, a professional tool and supply distribution company. The authors are sharing personal opinions based on products and field testing, and are not necessarily the views of the Ohio Power Tool company.